ADJUSTABLE TOOL HANDLE FOR HOLDING A TOOL DURING USE
An adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use provides an improved handling of tools during use of tools that are difficult to use on their own, specifically L-shaped hexagonal and round wrenches. The adjustable tool handle includes a tool handle body with a handle and an adjustable opening for receiving a tool. In order to place a tool within the tool handle, a user opens the tool handle and places the tool within the handle. After the tool is placed within the handle the tool is held in place by a holding component. The tool handle is also usable with a removable ratcheting mechanism. When the ratcheting mechanism is attached to the tool handle, the ratcheting mechanism couples with a plurality of bits or sockets of different sizes and different types.
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The present invention relates to the field of hand held tools. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of hexagonal and round wrenches and related tools and safety, comfort, and convenience of accessories and tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONHexagonal wrenches or tool drivers, also referred to as alien wrenches or L-wrenches, have a hexagonal L-shaped body, including a long leg member and a short leg member. The end of either leg member is able to be inserted into a head of a screw or tool designed to accept a hexagonal wrench. Once inserted, rotational pressure is applied to the hexagonal wrench in order to tighten or loosen the screw. The leg members of the hexagonal wrench are designed to be of different lengths in order to allow a user flexibility when using the wrench in different environments and situations. For example, in a narrow, confined environment, the long leg of the hexagonal wrench is inserted into the head of the screw and the user will apply rotational pressure to the short leg. Or, if the environment is not so confined, the user is able to insert the short leg of the hexagonal wrench into the head of the screw and apply rotational pressure to the long leg.
Hexagonal wrenches are manufactured and distributed in multiple English and metric sizes in order to facilitate their use with screw heads of multiple sizes. Such wrenches are usually sold in a set which includes wrenches of multiple sizes but are also distributed individually.
When using a hexagonal wrench, a user, will insert an end of the hexagonal wrench into the head of a workpiece such as a screw, and will then exert rotational pressure on the opposite end of the wrench in order to tighten or loosen the screw. Because of the size and dimensions of the hexagonal wrench it is particularly difficult to exert a great amount of rotational pressure on the hexagonal wrench when the long leg of the hexagonal wrench is inserted into the head of the screw. Because the hexagonal wrench is typically turned with the user's fingers, the user is able to also experience scrapes and cuts from the use of hexagonal wrenches in this manner. Ingenuitive users have also used other tools, including vice grips, pliers and the like, to turn hexagonal wrenches. However, this method is disadvantageous because such tools are able to lose their hold on the hexagonal wrench when rotational pressure is applied or are able to even bend or otherwise disfigure the hexagonal wrench.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use provides an improved handling of tools during use of tools that are difficult to use on their own, specifically L-shaped hexagonal and round wrenches. The adjustable tool handle includes a tool handle body with a handle and an adjustable opening for receiving a tool. In order to place a tool within the tool handle, a user opens the tool handle and places the tool within the handle. After the tool is placed within the handle the tool is held in place by a holding component. The adjustable tool handle is able to hold a plurality of sizes of tools one at a time. Once the tool is positioned and held within the adjustable tool handle, a user is able to easily install or remove an object such as a screw with the benefit of a comfortable handle. The tool handle is also usable with a removable ratcheting mechanism. When the ratcheting mechanism is attached to the tool handle, the ratcheting mechanism couples with a plurality of bits or sockets of different sizes and types.
In one aspect, a tool handle for holding a tool during use comprises a body having a first end and a second end, an adjustable opening for receiving one of a plurality of tools of different sizes, and a retaining component that holds the tool in the adjustable opening during use, wherein an operable end of the tool extends from the first end or the second end of the tool handle during use. In some embodiments, the second end comprises an ergonomically shaped handle portion for holding during use. In some embodiments, the tool is a hexagonal shaped tool or a round shaped tool having an L-shaped body including a long leg member and a short leg member. In some of these embodiments, the long leg member and the short leg member are each held by the retaining component. In some embodiments, the long leg member extends from the tool handle during use. In further embodiments, the tool handle further comprises a ratcheting mechanism.
In some of these embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism removably attaches to a first end of the handle. In further embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism removably attaches to a side of the handle. In some embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one of a plurality of bits or sockets, each sized to fit a different sized work piece. In some embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one or more of a hexagonal bit, a flathead bit, a phillips head bit, a square head bit, a star head bit, and other shaped bits. In further embodiments, the retaining component is manually moved from a closed position to an open position in order to place the tool within the adjustable opening and is manually retracted back to the closed position in order to hold the tool within the opening. In still further embodiments, the tool handle comprises a lock.
In another aspect, a tool set comprises a tool handle for removably holding one of a plurality of sized tools during use and a ratcheting mechanism that detachably couples to the tool handle, and is held in an adjustable opening of the tool handle, and wherein the ratcheting mechanism separately holds one of a plurality of bits or sockets during use. In some embodiments, the tool handle comprises a body having a first end and a second end, the adjustable opening for receiving the one of a plurality of tools of different sizes, and a retaining component that holds the tool in the opening during use. In some embodiments, the one of a plurality of tools is a hexagonal shaped tool or a round shaped tool having an L-shaped body including a long leg member and a short leg member. In further embodiments, the retaining component is manually moved from a closed position to an open position in order to place the tool within the adjustable opening and is manually retracted back to the closed position in order to hold the tool within the opening. In some embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism removably attaches to the first end of the handle. In further embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism removably attaches to a side of the handle. In some embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one of a plurality of bits or sockets, each sized to fit a different sized work piece. In some embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one or more of a hexagonal bit, a flathead bit, a phillips head bit, a square head bit, a star head bit, and other shaped bits. In further embodiments, the tool handle comprises a lock.
In a further aspect, a method of utilizing an adjustable tool handle for holding a plurality of different sized tools comprises moving a retaining component to an open position, placing a tool within an adjustable opening of the tool handle, and moving the holding component to a closed position and holding the tool within the adjustable opening of the tool handle, wherein the tool extends from the first end or the second end of the tool handle during use. In some embodiments, the retaining component is moved to the open position by moving a slidable button. In further embodiments, moving the retaining component to a closed position comprises releasing the slidable button. In some embodiments, the tool is a hex wrench having an L-shaped body including a long leg member and a short leg member. In further embodiments, the tool is a ratcheting mechanism. In some of these embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one of a plurality of bits or sockets, each sized to fit a different sized work piece. In further embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one or more of a hexagonal bit, a flathead bit, a phillips head bit, a square head bit, a star head bit, and other shaped bits. In some embodiments, the tool handle comprises a lock.
An adjustable tool handle provides an improved handle for turning a tool such as a hexagonal or a round wrench.
Referring now to
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Similarly,
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As shown within
As described above, the openings comprise a rectangular shaped channel with a v-shaped bottom. When an L-shaped hexagonal or round tool is placed within the tool handle, the retaining component pushes the tool to the bottom of the openings so that the tool is confined within the v-shaped bottom. In this manner, the tool handle is able to hold multiple tools of different sizes. Specifically, as the size of the tool decreases, it is pushed farther into the v-shaped bottom of the openings. The retaining component pushes on the long leg member and the short leg member of the tool and securely confines the tool within the groove of the arm and the body of the tool handle. This arrangement also allows for the tool to be positioned as close to an end of the handle as possible in order to maximize the leverage and turning power of the tool.
In some embodiments, the adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use is designed to be utilized with hexagonal wrenches of English sizes including a 9/32 inch hexagonal wrench, a ¼ inch hexagonal wrench, a 7/32 inch hexagonal wrench, a 3/16 inch hexagonal wrench, a 5/32 inch hexagonal wrench, a 9/64 inch hexagonal wrench, a ⅛ inch hexagonal wrench, a 7/64 inch hexagonal wrench, a 3/32 inch hexagonal wrench and a 5/64 inch hexagonal wrench.
In some embodiments, the adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use is also designed to be utilized with hexagonal wrenches of metric sizes including a 10 mm hexagonal wrench, an 8 mm hexagonal wrench, a 6 mm hexagonal wrench, a 5 mm hexagonal wrench, a 4.5 mm hexagonal wrench, a 4 mm hexagonal wrench, a 3.5 mm hexagonal wrench, a 3 mm hexagonal wrench, a 2.5 mm hexagonal wrench and a 2 mm hexagonal wrench. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that a universal ratcheting tool 100 is able to be formed to hold fewer, additional or different sizes of hexagonal wrenches.
Alternatively, the adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use is able to be used with tools other than hexagonal wrenches. For example, a flat screwdriver is able to be used with the tool handle by including it on the end of a hexagonal L-shaped tool. Alternatively, a phillips screwdriver is also able to used with the tool handle by also including it on the end of a hexagonal L-shaped tool. Particularly, the tool handle for holding a tool during use is able to be used with any appropriate tool as known in the art. For example, in some embodiments, the tool handle is used with tools including a square head screwdriver, a star head screwdriver, and other tools.
In some embodiments, the adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use is able to be coupled with a ratcheting mechanism.
As also shown in
In some embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism 1016 couples to a side of the tool handle 1000.
Referring now to
As further shown in
In an assembled configuration, the retaining component 1630 is placed within the first end 1602 of the body 1601 and the adjustment mechanism 1610 is placed over the first end 1602 of the body 1601. Then, the retaining component 1630 and the adjustment mechanism 1610 are secured in place by placing the pivot pin 1612 through the pivot pin hole 1652 of the adjustment mechanism 1610 and the pivot pin hole 1642 of the body 1601 and placing the securing pin through the track 1618 and 1618′ and the adjustment pin hole 1634 of the retaining component 1630. Once the pivot pin 1612 and the adjustment pin 1614 are put in place, the pivot pin 1612 and the adjustment pin 1614 are secured with the pivot screw 1612′ and the adjustment screw 1614′. In the assembled configuration, the retaining component 1630 is able to travel the length of the track 1618. In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, in order to position a tool within the tool handle 1700 a short leg 1750 of a L-shaped hexagonal or round tool 1750 is inserted into the opening 1706. After the short leg is inserted into the opening 1706, the tool 1750 is turned so that the long leg extends from the first end 1702 of the tool handle 1700. As shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
When an L-shaped hexagonal or round tool is placed within the tool handle, the retaining component pushes the tool so that the tool is confined within the v-shaped bottom. In this manner, the tool handle is able to hold multiple tools of different sizes. Specifically, as the size of the tool decreases, it is pushed farther into the v-shaped bottom. The retaining component pushes on the long leg member and the short leg member of the tool and securely confines the tool within the tool handle. This arrangement also allows for the tool to be positioned as close to an end of the handle as possible in order to maximize leverage.
When the tool is securely held within the tool handle 1800, a user is able to easily install or remove an object such as a screw with the benefit of a comfortable handle. In some embodiments, the second end 1803 of the tool handle 1800 is ergonomically shaped so as to comfortably fit within a hand of a user. In some embodiments, the second end 1803 of the tool handle 1800 is rubber and/or textured in order to enable a user to easily grip the tool handle 1800.
In some embodiments, the adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use is designed to be utilized with hexagonal wrenches of English sizes including a 9/32 inch hexagonal wrench, a ¼ inch hexagonal wrench, a 7/32 inch hexagonal wrench, a 3/16 inch hexagonal wrench, a 5/32 inch hexagonal wrench, a 9/64 inch hexagonal wrench, a ⅛ inch hexagonal wrench, a 7/64 inch hexagonal wrench, a 3/32 inch hexagonal wrench and a 5/64 inch hexagonal wrench.
In some embodiments, the adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use is also designed to be utilized with hexagonal wrenches of metric sizes including a 10 mm hexagonal wrench, an 8 mm hexagonal wrench, a 6 mm hexagonal wrench, a 5 mm hexagonal wrench, a 4.5 mm hexagonal wrench, a 4 mm hexagonal wrench, a 3.5 mm hexagonal wrench, a 3 mm hexagonal wrench, a 2.5 mm hexagonal wrench and a 2 mm hexagonal wrench.
Alternatively, the adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use is able to be used with tools other than hexagonal wrenches. For example, a flat screwdriver is able to be used with the tool handle by including it on the end of a hexagonal L-shaped tool. Alternatively, a phillips screwdriver is also able to used with the tool handle by also including it on the end of a hexagonal L-shaped tool. In some embodiments, the tool handle is used with tools including a square head screwdriver, a star head screwdriver, and other tools.
In some embodiments, the tool is a hex wrench having an L-shaped body including a long leg member and a short leg member. In further embodiments, a ratcheting mechanism is removably coupled to the tool handle. The ratcheting mechanism is able to receive sockets and bits of different sizes in order to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts of different sizes. Alternatively, as described above, the ratcheting mechanism is able to be used with other tools such as a flat head screwdriver, a phillips head screwdriver and a hexagonal tool.
The adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use is able to be composed of any appropriate material, which is of maximum strength and includes properties which resist materials that the handle will likely be exposed to, e.g., oil, grease, gasoline and the like. In some embodiments, the tool handle is materially composed of a variety of resin polymer and copolymer compositions including fillers and reinforcing materials such as glass in order to meet the strength and chemical resistance requirements of the tool. In some embodiments, the tool handle is materially composed of any suitable composition including, but not limited to aluminum or steel. In some embodiments, the tools are materially composed of aluminum, steel or any other appropriate material.
In some embodiments, the adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use is constructed using an injection molded, core/cavity process as is well known in the art. Alternatively, the tool handle is able to be constructed in any known manner.
To utilize the adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use, a tool is placed within the tool handle where it is held in place by a retaining component. In some embodiments, the tool is a L-shaped hexagonal or round tool. Once the tool is positioned and held within the adjustable tool handle, a user is able to easily install or remove an object such as a screw with the benefit of a comfortable handle.
The adjustable tool handle is able to be used with the tool extending out of the end of the tool handle or with the tool extending from the side of the tool handle. Consequently, a user is able to select the configuration which allows a user to achieve the greatest convenience and the most leverage for their desired task. Particularly, when a tool is inserted into the tool handle it is held into place on two faces of the tool, which are positioned at a right angle. The compound action of the retaining component on the tool allows the user to generate significant force in order to maximize the hold of the retaining component. This arrangement also allows for every size wrench to be positioned as close to the end of the handle as possible. Since each tool positioned in the tool handle is positioned close to an end of the tool handle, the user is able to maximize the lever arm length of the tool and the resulting force that can be applied.
The tool handle is also usable with a removable ratcheting mechanism. When the ratcheting mechanism is attached to the tool handle, the ratcheting mechanism is able to couple with a plurality of bits and sockets of different sizes, a hexagonal wrench, a flathead screwdriver and a phillips head screwdriver. The adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use provides comfort and speed for installing and removing objects such as screws and bolts. In operation, the adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use provides comfort and speed for installing and removing objects such as screws and bolts.
The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other various modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A tool handle for holding a tool during use comprising:
- a. a body having a first end and a second end;
- b. an adjustable opening for receiving one of a plurality of tools of different sizes; and
- c. a retaining component that holds the tool in the adjustable opening during use;
- wherein an operable end of the tool extends from the first end or the second end of the tool handle during use.
2. The tool handle of claim 1 wherein the second end comprises an ergonomically shaped handle portion for holding during use.
3. The tool handle of claim 1 wherein the tool is a hexagonal shaped tool or a round shaped tool having an L-shaped body including a long leg member and a short leg member.
4. The tool handle of claim 3 wherein the long leg member and the short leg member are each held by the retaining component.
5. The tool handle of claim 3 wherein the long leg member extends from the tool handle during use.
6. The tool handle of claim 1 further comprising a ratcheting mechanism.
7. The tool handle of claim 6 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably attaches to a first end of the handle.
8. The tool handle of claim 6 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably attaches to a side of the handle.
9. The tool handle of claim 6 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one of a plurality of bits or sockets, each sized to fit a different sized work piece.
10. The tool handle of claim 6 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one or more of a hexagonal bit, a flathead bit, a phillips head bit, a square head bit, a star head bit, and other shaped bits.
11. The tool handle of claim 1 wherein the retaining component is manually moved from a closed position to an open position in order to place the tool within the adjustable opening and is manually retracted back to the closed position in order to hold the tool within the opening.
12. The tool handle of claim 1 wherein the tool handle comprises a lock.
13. A tool set comprising:
- a. a tool handle for removably holding one of a plurality of sized tools during use; and
- b. a ratcheting mechanism that detachably couples to the tool handle, and is held in an adjustable opening of the tool handle, and wherein the ratcheting mechanism separately holds one of a plurality of bits or sockets during use.
14. The tool set of claim 13 wherein the tool handle comprises
- a. a body having a first end and a second end;
- b. the adjustable opening for receiving the one of a plurality of tools of different sizes; and
- c. a retaining component that holds the tool in the opening during use.
15. The tool set of claim 14 wherein the one of a plurality of tools is a hexagonal shaped tool or a round shaped tool having an L-shaped body including a long leg member and a short leg member.
16. The tool set of claim 14 wherein the retaining component is manually moved from a closed position to an open position in order to place the tool within the adjustable opening and is manually retracted back to the closed position in order to hold the tool within the opening.
17. The tool set of claim 13 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably attaches to the first end of the handle.
18. The tool set of claim 13 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably attaches to a side of the handle.
19. The tool set of claim 13 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one of a plurality of bits or sockets, each sized to fit a different sized work piece.
20. The tool set of claim 13 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one or more of a hexagonal bit, a flathead bit, a phillips head bit, a square head bit, a star head bit, and other shaped bits.
21. The tool set of claim 13 wherein the tool handle comprises a lock.
22. A method of utilizing an adjustable tool handle for holding a plurality of different sized tools comprising:
- a. moving a retaining component to an open position;
- c. placing a tool within an adjustable opening of the tool handle; and
- d. moving the holding component to a closed position and holding the tool within the adjustable opening of the tool handle;
- wherein the tool extends from the first end or the second end of the tool handle during use.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the retaining component is moved to the open position by moving a slidable button.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein moving the retaining component to a closed position comprises releasing the slidable button.
25. The method of claim 22 wherein the tool is a hex wrench having an L-shaped body including a long leg member and a short leg member.
26. The method of claim 22 wherein the tool is a ratcheting mechanism.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one of a plurality of bits or sockets, each sized to fit a different sized work piece.
28. The method of claim 26 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one or more of a hexagonal bit, a flathead bit, a phillips head bit, a square head bit, a star head bit, and other shaped bits.
29. The method of claim 22 wherein the tool handle comprises a lock.
Type: Application
Filed: May 15, 2012
Publication Date: Nov 21, 2013
Patent Grant number: 9387579
Applicant: WAGIC INC. (Los Gatos, CA)
Inventor: Ronald L. Johnson (San Jose, CA)
Application Number: 13/472,341
International Classification: B25B 23/16 (20060101); B25B 13/46 (20060101); B23P 11/00 (20060101); B25G 1/00 (20060101);